Valve control means for collapsible material holding tubes



J. W. YOUNG July 26, 1938.

VALVE CONTROL MEANS FOR COLLAPSIBLE MATERIAL'HOLDING TUBES Filed March 26, 1938 Patented July 26, 1938 PATENT OFFICE VALVE CONTROL S FOR COLLAPSIBLE MATERIAL HOLDING TUBES AJames W. Young, Des Moines, Iowa Application March 26,

5 Claims.

This invention relates to tubes of the metal collapsible type that are used to hold plastic materials such as shaving cream soaps, ycosmetic creams, tooth paste, glue, paint, medical creams,

5 lotions, and the like.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an automatic valve for the outlet end of material-holding tubes, thereby eliminating the usual closing screw cap, which is not only troublesome to remove and replace, but is also subject to accidental loss.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an outlet control means for collapsible material-holding tubes that is easily assembled, economical in manufacture and durable in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. w

My invention Consists in the construction, arrangement and combinaton of the various'parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side sectional view of my automatic valve installed on a collapsible tube.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a collapsible tube using my valve.

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of my valve installed and in a closed condition.

Fig. 4 is a top plan sectional view of my device on a tube.

The present method of opening and closing the discharge end of metal tubes of this class is with an ordinary cup cap screwed onto the threaded end of the tubes discharge nozzle. This is objectionable as it takes a considerable length of time to screw the cap completely off and then screw it back on. What often happens is that the detachable cap is lost or accidently dropped down abathroom outlet pipe. I have overcome all such objections, as will be appreciated by those using tubes of this nature.

Referring to the drawing, I have used the numeral I to designate the ordinary body portion of a collapsible metal material-holding tube. Formed on the discharge end of this tube is an inverted cylindrical cup member I I, having a rounded outer end as shown in Fig. l. The numeral I2 designates a rectangular port opening in the side of the member II. The numeral I3 designates a small air passage way extending through the outer end of the member I I. The numeral I4 designates a thimble valve slidably mounted in the member II. This thimble member has its 1938, Serial No. 198,261

cylindrical wall irictionally engaging the inner side wall oi the member I I and is hollow in order that its rear open end will communicate directly with the inside of the tube Ill. The numeral I5 designates a port opening in the side of the member I4 capable of registering with the port opening I2 in the member II at times. The numeral I6 designates a rectangular tongue portion on the member I4 and which extends downwardly and outwardly from the top of the port opening I5 as shown in Fig. 3. This tongue portion I6 is made at the time the opening I5 is made in the member. I4 and is merely cut along its sides `and then bent outwardly and rearwardly to provide a portion of the opening I5 and to create the tongue portion I6. This tongue portion I6 extends outwardly through the port opening I2 and closely fits the sides of this opening. By this construction the tongue I6 will act as a lug for preventing the independent rotation of the member I4 to the member II and will also limit the relative forward movement of the member I4 in the member I I and the relative rear movement of the member I4 in the member II. The reciprocation of the member I4 forwardly and rearwardly in the member II will be relative to the height of the port opening I2. The numeral II designates a coil spring rigidly secured to the outer forward end of the member I4` To assemble my device, it is merely necessary to force the member I4 forwardly into the membery II until th'e tongue I6 snaps into the opening I2. Although the parts may be made of any suitable material, it is desirable that the member I4 be made of springy material to' permit this springing of the tongue I6 into the opening I2. If springy material is not used for the memberl I4, then the member I4 must be slid into the member II and an instrument used to bend the tongue I6 outwardly through the port opening I2. If for any reason it is desired to remove the member I4 from the member II, it is merely necessary to spring the tongue I6 inwardly until the member I4 clears the port opening I2. With the member I6 extendng through the opening I2, the coil spring I3 will have one end engaging the inside of the member II and its other end engaging the top of the member I4, thereby yieldingly holding the tongue I6 in engagement with the rear side of the port I2 as shown in Fig. 3.

To use a tube employing my automatic Valve, it is merely necessary to squeeze the collapsible tube thereby forcing the material forwardly into the neck portion of the tube. This pressure will act on the member il forcing it forwardly and against the yielding action of the spring I'I. With the member Il moved forwardly and outwardly. the rectangular tongue il will engage the forward side of the opening I2 and material will until the tongue I8 engages the rear side of the` opening i2. Obviously this closing of the port openings is automatic. With the member Il in a rear position. its port Il will not be` in communication with the port i2. The spring lI'I will yieldingly hold the device closed at all times except when pressure is placed on the body of the tube in order to obtain material therefrom.

From the foregoing, it will readily be seen that I have provided a highly desirable, simple automatic valve mechanism for alcollapsible tube.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my improved valve control means for collapsible material-holding tubes device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified fonns of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim: Y y

l. In combination with a collapsible metal tube, a hollow end portion on one end of said tube having an outlet port in its side, a cup member slidably mounted inside said hollow end portion having an outlet port capable of communicating with said first mentioned outlet port at times, a means for limiting the reciprocation and rotation of said cup member relative to said hollow end por- Y tion, and a coil spring having one end engaging the inside bottom of said hollow end portion and its other end engaging the forward end of said cup member.

2. In combination with a collapsible metal tube, a hollow end portion on one end of said tube having a rectangular outlet port in its side, a cup member slidably mounted inside said hollow end portion having a rectangular outlet port capable of communicating with said first mentioned outlet port at times. a rectangular tongue on said cup member extending through said first mentioned outlet port and a means for yieldably resisting the forward movement of said cup member in said hollow end portion.

3. In combination with a collapsible metal tube. a hollow end portion on said tube having a rectangular outlet port in its side, a cup member slidably mounted inside said hollow end portion having outlet port capable of communicating with said first mentioned outlet port at times, a tongue on said cup member extending through said first mentioned outlet port and having its side edges slidably engaging the side walls of said rectangular outlet port, having means for yieldably holding said cup member in a position where its outlet port is not in communication with said first mentioned outlet port.

4. In a device of the class described. a hollow cylindrical portion having a rectangular outlet port in its side, a hollow cylindrical cup member inverted and slidably mounted in said hollow portion having an outlet port capable of communieating with said rectangular outlet port at times. a projection on said cup member extending from a point above the outlet port in said cup member and yieldably functioning through said rectangular outlet port and a yieldably resilient member having one end engaging the inside of said hollow portion and its other end engaging the outer top of said cup member and yieldably holding in a position where said projection engages the rear end of said`rectanguiar outlet port.

.5. In a device of the class described, a hollow cylindrical portion having a rectangular outlet port in its side, a hollow lcylindrical cup member inverted and slidably mounted in said hollow portion having an outlet port capable of communieating `with said rectangular outlet port at times. a projection von said cup member extending from a point above the outlet port in said cup member and a coll spring secured to the outer forward top of said cup member and having its forward end capable of engaging the inside forward end of said hollow portion. l

JAMES W. YOUNG. 

